52 C O N T E X T 1 7 2 : J U N E 2 0 2 2 Vox pop Liz Mayle Who has been your greatest inspiration? Many brilliant people have inspired me, in both fashion (my former career) and conservation. But my greatest inspiration was the late Jim Johnston, a brilliant lecturer from Bishop Grosseteste University College in Lincoln.We had lectures three or four times a week covering architectural history of just about every building type, methods of construction, how buildings were used and who used them. He was a constant throughout my three years of learning. I remember vividly the many site visits, including an extensive tour of Lincoln Cathedral to see the real bones of its construction and, with equal enthusiasm, a visit to a small, well-preserved Quaker meeting house, or looking at a wonderful font cover or his favourite misericord. Dr Jim gave me a very sound and extensive knowledge base that I have used every day since graduation. My mentor and constant in the world of conservation after graduation was Rob Walker, retired now, but formerly of East Lindsey District Council. What has been your best idea? My best idea after that of changing career from fashion design to historic building conservation has been to design a fireproof beach hut, following an arson attack three years ago (one of six burned to ashes over a period of three nights). One of the best photos I have of the original hut was in Context 130, July 2013, ‘Icons of the British seaside’. It has been a challenge and taken ages with Covid, but the fireproof shell is up and it looks traditional. My knowledge of fireproofing historic buildings has been very useful. My family and I have built our new beach hut ourselves and hope to complete it this summer. What would you like to have been if you had not become a conservationist? I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed two fulfilling careers. I was a fashion designer, but always loved old buildings. As a teenager I used to plead with my grandparents to take me to look at thatched cottages and churches if we were out driving, or to look at the big church in Louth (which is now what I see from my office every day). I made Lego copies of all the buildings I visited too, modifying the pieces by drawing glazing bars on them and making thatched roofs from painted straws. Had I not become a conservationist I think my early love of architecture would have led me to being an architect. How do you reply when at a party someone asks what you do? I have always told people quite proudly that I was a local authority conservation officer and, in recent years, a historic building consultant.
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